Sharon Page (1)

I really enjoyed this novel. It's what a historical romance should be, in my humble opinion. Full of emotional pull, meaty subject matter, and gorgeous historical details, this novel stands above the rest.

OK, that emotional pull... Holy crap is it strong! The author pulls the reader into a world of fiery emotions meeting the cold reserve of the old guard and a clash is bound to happen. I really liked how the author made the two main characters, Nigel and Zoe. They're both very unique show more individuals with very different emotional skills and backgrounds, but they come together in a clash of passion and romance that will blow the reader away. I felt every emotional high and low, the pits of despair and the lofty wings of love. And that, to me, is the hallmark of a romance done right.

Yet the author isn't afraid to talk about other subject matters that others might not feel should be in a "historical romance", but that I feel added to the weight of the novel. We get details on PTSD, pregnancy complications in the form of miscarriages, and women's liberation to name only a few. The author weaves the details on these heavy subjects throughout her narrative in such a way that the reader doesn't feel like they're being hit over the head but they appreciate the weight of what they're reading.

I adored the historical details in this book. They gave a real sense of the rise of the Roaring Twenties and the gradual fading of an old world of aristocrats, servants, and the "way it used to be". That clash of old and new was really showcased in Nigel's and Zoe's relationship blatantly, yet the author also weaves it into the personalities of her secondary characters and the setting itself. Julia's transformation, the big dreams of Zoe's pilot friends, and the old reserve of Nigel's grandmother all illustrate how divided this turn in history was. The reader will find themselves living this world of old manor homes, roaring Jazz clubs, and high-flying planes with a gusto that I enjoyed.

This book is a shining jewel to illustrate how a historical romance should be. Extremely high in emotional resonance yet with some meaty subject matter and grand historical details to balance it out. All this together makes a novel I will prize and definitely read again. It's a keeper for the favorite shelf!

Note: Book received via GoodReads FirstReads program for free in exchange for honest review. show less

An American Duchess by Sharon Page is a vibrant story that has a nice mix of drama and light-hearted fun. This absolutely delightful romance takes place during the Roaring Twenties and the English countryside is the perfect setting for this incredible novel. But it is the charming cast of characters that brings this spectacular book vividly to life.

Zoe Gifford is an American heiress who needs to access her trust fund, but in order to receive the funds, she needs a husband. English nobleman show more Sebastian Hazelton needs a wife and a fortune to save his nearly destitute family from financial ruin. A marriage of convenience is the solution for both of their problems, but once Zoe meets her fiancé's older brother, Nigel, she is stunned by her unexpected attraction to the elusive Duke.

Zoe is a refreshing breath of fresh air and her arrival at her fiancé's home in England is just what the stuffy Hazelton family needs. She is outspoken, adventurous and fully embraces all of the changes that are taking place during the time period. She is an ardent supporter of women's rights and she refuses to give up her newly found freedom. Zoe is also kind, caring and quite perceptive and although she suffered some terrible losses, she believes in living life to the fullest.

Zoe is stunned to discover just how out of touch the Hazelton family is with the changing times and she immediately shocks the family with her forward thinking, fashionable attire and daring pursuits. Zoe quickly butts heads with Nigel when she encourages his sisters to do what is right for them even if it bucks traditional expectations. She is not intimidated by Nigel's standoffish attitude and she quickly sees past his gruff and rather cold exterior.

Nigel's experiences in the war haunt him and he keeps a tight control on his emotions. Both mentally and physically scarred, he has become a virtual recluse as he battles his demons on his own. Although Zoe initially irritates him with her bold, modern ways, he is also quite captivated by her enthusiasm and joie de vivre.

Zoe is shocked by the changes in Sebastian when she arrives in England. As she finds herself spending more time with Nigel, her attraction to him deepens, but she still plans to go through with her marriage to Sebastian. It is no secret that Zoe eventually weds Nigel instead and their marriage is a passionate love match. However their relationship is soon plagued by terrible losses but it is their different styles of handling their problems that drives a wedge between them.

An American Duchess is a very engaging romance with a fabulous cast of well-developed and likable characters. Sharon Page does an excellent job balancing the lighter aspects of this lively era with the lingering realities of war and the inevitable clashes between the older and younger generations. It is an all around entertaining and emotional novel that I highly recommend to fans of historical romances. show less

2.5

Book source ~ NetGalley

Helena Winsome is being blackmailed into spying on the Duke of Greybrooke in order to keep her brother out of debtor’s prison. She has to find proof that he’s a traitor and her brother’s debts will be paid.

I have mixed feelings about this. While the writing is awesome and the characters are great, I think Helena is a bit of a moron. Who lets themselves be coerced into a situation and does zero research? I know I would have done some digging before I let myself show more be pushed into something. Her family owns a newspaper for fuck’s sake! And her brother? Omg, I would have killed him. Ok, I know this is historical and he’s technically head of the house, but I’d still kick his ass. Period. Also, she’s gutsy and intelligent and lets herself be led around by her pussy. Ugh. Stop.

I don’t particularly like the Duke of Greybrooke either. Guys who think they can get whatever they want because that’s always been so for them piss me off. Arrogance without redemption is a huge turn off for me and I don’t think he changes enough over the course of the book to get in my good Graces. Hehe See what I did there? show less

This was such a fun read and could have easily ended half way through and been a great HEA but the author did so much more with this story. It has a "Downton Abbish" vibe that had me missing the Grantham family but was so much deeper with the repercussions of the War affecting so many characters in the book in tragic ways. It wasn't all fun, lavish parties and beautiful clothes, but a combination with the loss and horrors of the war. I love historicals from the 1920's and you get to see show more England, New York and California during this era which is always fascinating to me.
My only fault with the book were the main characters, though I loved both Nigel and Zoe, I felt like both were a bit over the top. Nigel was deeply in love with Zoe but ended up hurting her time after time with his unbending upper crust British coldness when he was trying to "protect" her. Possibly as an American, I saw this as slightly abusive rather than protective. And Zoe was pretty unbending herself and rather selfish. Yes she was only 20 but I think the two of them could have compromised a bit more. But then alas, it is a story not real life.
Still, this book managed to captivate me over two days and ultimately one I'd definitely recommend. Off to snag a copy of book two, has a murder mystery with it. show less